Do you remember when the symbol “#” meant pound sign?

As in “When you are done, press the pound sign,” or as it related to weights and measures? Yeah, me, too. Because #CardCarryingAARPMember and #LifeBeforeTheInternet.

Now, though, my life has evolved to the point that at any given time when I encounter any situation or scene, I’m thinking “Would that be a good shot for my social media?”

For example, my rescue cat is watching me type right now. He is wondering why my moving fingers are not petting him, and whether I will give him treats. I look over at him and realize his earnest pose looks really interesting and I should take a photo.

Because #CatsRuleTheWeb.

As if you don’t already have enough pictures of my cat. Or cloud formations. Or close-ups of flowers. But the point really is that marketing in the age of social media requires constant tending. For artists, sharing can be about a process from start to finish, and the inspirations around creation, which pretty much covers everything.

At the moment, I am on the web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for both my art activities as well as my day job. That’s four core areas, doubled. And actually, at work I have two Twitter accounts, which involve multiple posts on about a dozen rotating topics.

#FullNest Marketing traditions have changed a lot. There’s a more continual “Putting It Out There” that can take quite a bit of time and effort, even with scheduling tools. The avenues have shifted, the audiences have widened, but the basics about content generation still apply, in that it quite simply needs to be good. Good words, good pictures, targeted messaging.

One must think about content as content and tools as tools, and not the tools as the content. Um, unless the content is all about the tools.

Because #GeekOutOnAllTheTools.

I get asked about new channels very regularly. “Are you on ‘SnorgleBlogZone’?

It’s AMAZING!! Your information disappears before you even start typing!

It’s PERFECT for reaching your omniscient audience!”

Sigh.

I am using Microsoft on a PC, so I’m already very used to that benefit.

#ApologiesToMicrosoft.In addition to business advantages, I like how social media has kept many of my connections afloat until we can see each other in person again someday.

A long trek by miles is fairly instantaneous on my phone or laptop. And despite all the changes, email is still important. It also provides some stability for my contacts who only use email. Having the same account for 20 years (Literally! I joined EarthLink in 1996, when Sky Dayton lived down the street from me in Hollywood.) has allowed me to be reachable by folks from the past.

Not that I don’t also have addresses connected to my website, my google accounts, and etc. Remember when people just had one land line in the kitchen with a twisted-up cord? #Nostalgia.  So, how does one keep up when the Daily To Do List has become so complex? In addition to rising 15 minutes earlier, it can be useful to make … a chart!

Seriously. Create a grid with the days of the week across the top, and your social media channels down the side, and plan your week’s intended topics and posts. Enough space to notate times of day can also be helpful. There’s programs that can track all this, but I need to see it on paper, and then check off boxes.

One of the reasons people burn out on these duties is because they keep it all in their heads, or on a three-inch screen. Top-Of-Mind isn’t just for the brands we’re selling, it’s also for our tasks.

Because #OutofSiteOutofMind. Yes, I’m abusing the symbol here. Because #PoundSignHumor. For those who have not delved into social media yet, I suggest picking one and just start. These channels are the leading edge of outreach. And don’t worry about running out of hashtags –  there’s plenty to go around.

And it drives Microsoft’s Spell Check crazy, so there’s that. #WishingYouTheBest.